In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

Russ Steinberg's startup has been growing food on the 18th floor of this mid-70s office building since last July. It’s a small operation at 1,000 square feet, sort of a baby step into indoor farming, but it’s about to get much bigger. Reset checks in with regular contributor and Crain’s real estate reporter Denis Rodkins for the full scoop. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez...

Edna Lewis was a trailblazing chef and writer who helped define and elevate Southern cuisine. Reset sits the founder of National Soul Food Month and food writer Charla Draper to talk about the cultural roots of Lewis’ cooking, and how her impact can be seen in Chicago’s food scene. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Tempers flare as Governor Pritzker joins two Democratic Governors in testimony before the House Oversight Committee. Chicago leaders brace for massive “No Kings” protest as President Trump threatens to send military troops to quell protests in Democratic cities. Reset goes behind those headlines and more in our Weekly News Recap. This week’s panelists include AXIOS Chicago reporter Carrie Shepherd...

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson joined Reset’s Sasha-Ann Simons for a conversation on anti-ICE protests, transit funding, and included live questions from listeners. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Traveling out of O’Hare or Midway but not sure what your rights are when leaving or entering the country? Whether you’re a green card holder, a citizen, or have a visa, traveling can be nerve-wracking with the increased crackdown on foreign nationals, like a new travel ban targeting 12 countries and placing travel restrictions on another seven. Reset finds out what to know about how the ban impact...

In 2022, Cook County announced its partnership with Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit that buys old uncollectable bills from hospitals and forgives it. Since then, over half a million people have had their medical debts erased – wiping out a more than $664-million burden on residents. Reset learns more from WBEZ's health care reporter Kristen Schorsch; Cook County deputy chief of staff for health Ma...

The LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Dialogue Project brings together LGBTQ+ elders and younger adults in Chicago to share stories, build community, and bridge generational divides. Since 2019, it has engaged more than 130 participants through dialogue sessions, collaborative art projects, and university partnerships — helping to preserve the history of LGBTQ+ lives across generations. Reset learns about...

If you’ve ever wondered about the who, what, and where of Chicago’s fish species, you’re in luck. A new field guide gives a complete account of nearly 170 species of fish in northern Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan. Reset learns more about the field guide Fishes of the Chicago Region with co-author Philip Willnick. We also pick the brain of Sun-Times outdoor columnist Dale Bowman. For a...

Illinois lawmakers missed the deadline to vote on a bill to seal a $770 million budget gap for public transit next year. This has heightened concerns of service cuts of nearly 40% of CTA, Metra and Pace buses and trains. Reset turns to daily CTA rider and strategic advisor for Better Streets Chicago Alex Nelson and Chicago native and lifelong daily CTA rider Maya Roberts to hear their thoughts on...

Not only is spending time outdoors linked to lower stress levels, it can be a way to recognize the importance of nature around us. With all of the events throughout the city, it can also be a great way to meet new people. Reset discusses some of the events around town this month with freelance outdoor and travel journalist Erica Zazo and Reset’s sustainability contributor, director of Loyola Unive...

Immigration agents detained at least 10 people in the South Loop after the government sent them instructions via text to show up for a routine appointment. The Chicago Fire’s billionaire owner Joe Mansueto unveiled plans to build a $650 million stadium south of Roosevelt Road. Air quality in the city and suburbs was poor due to Canadian wildfires. Reset breaks down those stories and more with WBEZ...

The Night Out in the Parks program brings free performances and events to parks in all 77 of Chicago’s community areas, creating an opportunity for connection and exposure to different kinds of art. Reset gets a preview of what’s in store this summer from Night Out in the Parks program and event manager Krista Brynski, South Side Jazz Coalition executive director Margaret Murphy and founder of Cab...

Masked ICE agents detained 10 immigrants in Chicago’s South Loop on June 4, as city lawmakers, protesters and advocates for people in the U.S. without legal status attempted to disrupt the operation. Reset talks to Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez of the 25th Ward, Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez of the 33rd Ward, and Ald. Anthony Quezada of the 35th Ward, who were on the scene. For a full archive of Reset...

As the Chicago Bears work to finalize a site for a new stadium, possibly outside city limits, Chicago’s Major League Soccer team, which currently plays home games at Soldier Field, is developing its own plan for a future home in the city. Reset gets the details from Crain’s Chicago Business commercial real estate reporter Danny Ecker. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/r...

In the early 1990s Terence Alan Smith, a drag star who went by the name Joan Jett Blakk was involved in the Chicago movement for gay rights. She was a member of Queer Nation, which focused on anti-gay violence, trans rights, bi visibility, healthcare, housing, and more. Blakk never made it on the mayoral ballot in 1991, but her campaign put queer issues into the public consciousness. Reset checks...

From the I & M Canal Trail to the Major Taylor Trail, the Chicago area has a lot of beautiful trails to cycle on that were once train lines or canal paths, and there are plenty of other great rides in the city, on country roads and beyond. Reset talks with Ride Illinois volunteer Christine Hubert of Joliet and cyclist Ron Rodriguez of Oak Lawn about their favorite rides, safety tips and tricks for...

Since the pandemic, the number of traffic-related deaths has been on the rise in Chicago. But that’s not the case in Evanston, which saw a five-year stretch with no deaths. Reset talks with Evanston city engineer Lara Biggs and Dixon Galvez-Searle, transit advocacy steward for Southwest Collective, about the work underway to reduce traffic collisions and deaths in the city and suburbs. For a full...

Illinois lawmakers passed a $55.2 billion state budget Saturday night, successfully filling a $1 billion gap by levying tax hikes on tobacco users, sports gamblers and out-of-state corporations with a footprint in Illinois. Reset spoke with WBEZ statehouse reporter and Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mitchell Armentrout about what the budget means for you and why lawmakers did not pass a bill to fund p...

Illinois pumps hundreds of millions of dollars a year into childcare programs – yet it doesn’t provide enough support or relief for thousands of families and providers, according to an investigation from the Illinois Answers Project. Reset dives into the investigation to find out where families are being left behind. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

If you need a one-stop shop to browse the best concert offerings at a range of venues and different price points, sit back and get ready to scroll. From blues to rock to dance music, WBEZ’s summer concert guide has you covered. Reset learns about summer shows to put on your radar. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Illinois legislators are tackling unfinished business before the end of the spring legislative session. President Trump pardons a former Chicago gang leader. Navy Pier gets a new marina. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with Chicago Sun-Times chief political reporter Tina Sfondeles, Better Government Association president David Greising and City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran. For a...

he first major wave of Koreans to the United States was in 1903. Later, thousands of Koreans fled the country to escape famine and political turmoil. This is just the beginning of over 100 years of migration of the Korean diaspora to places like the U.S., China, South America and more. Reset gets a brief history on Korean migration, activism and organizing in the Chicago area and beyond with the e...

Niall Harbison is best known as a dog rescuer turned social media star. He shares the heartwarming – and heartwrenching – stories on X and Instagram. Though he mostly operates in Thailand, he’s calling on Americans to help, too. While on the U.S. tour for his new book “Tina, The Dog Who Changed The World.” Harbison is looking to rally local support to join his cause in helping save the millions of...

It can take a lot of energy to maintain your lawn. You have to mow it, water it, remove weeds, deal with pests, aerate the soil and much more. On top of it taking up your energy, it also takes up a lot of resources and water. Nearly one third of all residential water use across the country, according to the EPA. That’s almost 9 billion gallons per day. To learn more about grass lawn alternatives a...

Illinois is the only state where homeowners face foreclosure because they can’t pay their property taxes. On top of foreclosure, those homeowners are not entitled to any proceeds from the sale of their home. Reset learns more from a new investigation from Injustice Watch and the Investigative Project on Race and Equity that explains why. Injustice Watch reporter Carlos Ballesteros and Investigativ...